As a 22-year-old Indian student living in Vancouver, I have seen the impact of social media, and Tik Tok,  on music. The first thing that I liked to do when I arrived in Canada was to attend local music festivals to discover new artists. Tik Tok is now the primary use of youth and students and new  artists. The local, tiny scene of indie music in BC is no longer the same. The app has the power to make a good musician become viral within a few days. TikTok is not a source of entertainment; it is a glimpse into culture to people like me. One night, I managed to scroll after a hard working day of classes and discovered a 17 seconds clip of a singer in a small apartment. Thousands of views were received on the video within hours. The following morning the singer had Canadian, US, and even Indian followers. That demonstrated to me the strength of social media in the music industry in the present day. One of the best features of Tik Tok is its algorithm. Conventional music compounds require a label, contacts or cash to be listened to. Tik Tok displays the videos according to the likes, sharing, or comments. And even a musician that only has ten followers can get to thousands as long as his video is clicked. Being an Indian student, that is like coming across an unspotted star in my home city, a street singer who can astonish people should he get an opportunity. Tik Tok is allowing music to thrive due to talent, rather than fame or fortune. Vancouver has been already a melting pot of various cultures, and Tik Tok demonstrates that. The indie rock, hip-hop, electronic and acoustic singer-songwriters give out their music. Most blends are Punjabi beats, electronic and western pop. One of my friends had uploaded a video of a local musician playing with Bhangra and guitar in Gastown, and it immediately went viral. It is a thrilling experience to watch the city with various backgrounds establish music trends. The youth are very practical in the way they engage in these video. They comment, share, duet and like. I frequently collaborate with musicians in the area, whether as a duo, where I just sing to their performance, or as a remix of their pieces. This is what makes the fans feel connected to the process of creating the music. In the old media, fans would view what was being done but with the use of Tik Tok, you can work even when on the other side of the world. This feeling of belongingness is significant to Indian students who are miles away. It introduces us to the city, people and culture of the city. Tik Tok will influence musicians to experiment. The brief videos allow artists to share snippets, unplugged performances, covers or even amusing behind-the-scenes. Artists do not lose followers when trying out new genres, images, or narratives. After I saw a jazz, rap, and visual art mix by a Vancouver artist in a 30-second video, and it went viral. It teaches students and aspiring musicians that you can shine without being the one to take the same route of doing things, simply be yourself, be creative, and get a large number of people to listen. Vancouver local venues are also the beneficiaries of Tik Tok. When a song becomes viral, the fans desire to watch it performed. More people appear suddenly in cafes, small concert halls and festivals. Painters make additional sales and partnerships are quicker. It is an online-real life connection. I attended a small gig in Kitsilano following a viral video of the song on Tik Tok. The atmosphere in the room was also very energetic, the students, music fans and young adults united through one of the songs that they found online. Musicians representing other cultures are more likely to be discovered with the help of Tik Tok. There are numerous South Asian, East Asian and European population in Vancouver. Musicians tend to publish songs in two or more languages, combining local and international music. Personally, it seems relatable and exciting to me that Hindi lyrics are accompanied by western beats. It demonstrates that my culture is able to blend with contemporary indie music. The other crucial component is storytelling. Musicians do not only use Tik Tok to share songs, but also their experiences, hardships, funny experiences in the studio, or advice to fellow artists. This creates strong relationship between the audience and the performer. My favorite local artists address the topic of mental health, college life, and balancing part-time employment and music production. It is inspiring that a person of my age has the same problem and makes passion come true. There is also the motivational aspect of collaboration in different arts by Tik Tok. Filmmakers, visual artists, musicians and dancers collaborate in creative clips. I have also watched a video in which an indie band collaborated with a graphic designer to create some cool animation of a 15-second song. Such experiments are uncommon in real life, except on digital platforms thereby providing the youth with a learning and participation opportunity. The platform assists the musicians in the brand development and digital proficiency. Artists get to know about the content strategy, when it is better to post, hashtags, the video editing and how to engage viewers. These can be seen in the other people, demonstrating the combination of creativity and practical digital capabilities. These are skills that are important at the moment because the existence of a music career depends on the presence of a social media. Professional growth is also brought by Tik Tok. Viral videos have the potential to result in a sponsorship, collaboration, or deal with labels. Live performances have better sales and online popularity is transferred to reality. This loop of the online exposure and the subsequent real possibilities is exciting to any one who desires to make it in the creative industry.

As a student, Tik Tok not only allows me to discover new music but also tends to motivate my creativity. I have composed short songs which I have been inspired by the app. TikTok reminds me of a classroom and a concert at the same time. It is encouraging to see the local artists experimenting but at the same time remaining connected to the Vancouver culture. The geography and community of Vancouver is relevant. The city is a blend of city life, nature, and numerous various cultures. Some of the locations where musicians film are Stanley Park, Granville Island, or Commercial Drive. These places are pretty and create a local impression, hence the music belonging to the city. This is something that allows Indian students like me to experience the culture of the city in an imaginative manner when we are on the internet. The indie music has taken a new perception because of Tik Tok. It is no longer a little niche, it is the mainstream and readily accessible and highly interactive. Young adults are not merely listeners, but they contribute, communicate and encourage each other. Music has become more than a sound it is a common culture and a community. Simply put, the TikTok has transformed the indie music industry in BC by providing artists with a larger audience, allowing them to experiment, and allowing fans to interact. The young adults, particularly international students are given a place where they can connect with local culture, participate in creative groups, and get inspired. The platform also allows musicians to experiment, collaborate and develop and reach listeners across the world. It also assists local music bars, promotes different cultures and story telling. Due to this digital revolution, Vancouver has an expanding indie music scene both on the web and in the real world. Tik Tok is not only a funny application to students and young adults: it is an opportunity to get acquainted with music, culture, and creativity, creating bonds that will make the life in a new city exciting, friendly and inspiring.